Two Labourers and A Scrap Dealer were Arrested in a Series of Temple Theft Cases, recovered 12 idols and Temple articles, worth ₹5.36 lakhs from the possession.

A gang involved in a series of Temple theft cases, busted by the Rachakonda police of Hyderabad.

Two arrested for stealing temple idols, including Panchaloha idols, Temple Bells, brass Lamp stands, Hundis and other temple items.

They have been identified as Karacha Sivananda (52), of Kurnool, and Shaik Ham Shareef (38), of Prakasam district, were staying in Vanasthalipuram, Hyderabad.

Both had been living on the outskirts of Hyderabad as daily-wage workers and reportedly met at local labour addas. They turned to temple thefts to fund their alcohol habits and other expenses.

A gang involved in a series of idol thefts was busted and two thieves and a receiver were arrested by the Rachakonda Central Crime Station (CCS) police at Mangalpally Crossroads near Bongloor on Wednesday.

Police recovered 12 idols, ornaments of deities and temple articles,  Their loot included idols, some weighing as much as 25 kg, worth 5.36 lakh from their possession.

Sivananda and Shareef targeted several temples in Yacharam and Ibrahimpatnam police station limits in Hyderabad outskirts. After stealing idols, gold and silver articles, and other property from the temples, they sold it to a person named A Kranthi Kumar,” said G Sudheer Babu, IPS, CP Rachakonda.

A scrap dealer, who allegedly bought the stolen property, was also arrested.

:Said Rachakonda Commissioner G. Sudheer Babu.